What makes a martini a martini?

Today, what makes a martini a martini? Robert Simonson, who wrote a book about the martini, said, “The funny thing is that the martini is both strict and loose at the same time.”

Everyone seems to have an opinion on this cocktail. “Ingredients, proportions, garnishes are all up for debate,” Simonson said. “I’m a purist. I think it has to be gin and vermouth. But I’m going to bend over and say, ‘Okay, vodka and vermouth is fine.'” (But) there’s vermouth in there. I don’t see how you can call it a cocktail if it’s not in it. ”

Simonson said the martini was probably named after the vermouth company. It was invented in America in the 1870s or ’80s when bartenders mixed gin and vermouth (a fortified wine made with herbs and spices). “This is a huge player in cocktail history,” he said.

In the early 20th century, “berry dry” martinis became very popular. Ice-cold gin or vodka with a twist of lemon, or olives, or onions, and just a little (or maybe not even a little) vermouth).

Samantha Kasuga, head bartender at Temple Bar in New York City, says the reason many people don’t want vermouth in their martinis is because it has been stored improperly for years. “It should be in the fridge,” she said.

Kasuga’s classic martini is two parts gin, one part vermouth, and lemon. She suggests you shouldn’t order it shaken rather than stirred like James Bond. Kasuga says he always stirs cocktails, but some people like the show of the bartender shaking cocktails behind the bar. “People definitely love a good shake,” she said.

Also, people like to have their martinis made to their liking. But Kasuga understands why they get so specific. “Having your own preferences and not just listening and doing it is a luxury in itself.”

Author Robert Simonson says martinis can also add a little luxury to your Thanksgiving. “It actually makes a lot of sense for Thanksgiving,” he says. “It whets the appetite for future meals.

“There are few American inventions that are more American than the martini. It’s an American holiday, an American drink.”

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Story produced by Mary Lafari. Editor: Remington Coper.

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